Building and Maintaining Key Partnerships Through Collaboration

Karin Glasgow cultivates TSA’s relationships with industry stakeholders, including major and regional air carriers, airline crew associations, airport authorities and executives, and travel groups. “It’s all about collaboration,” she says, and that collaboration helps TSA move forward to achieve its counterterrorism mission. With the agency since 2005, Glasgow is the Aviation Stakeholder in the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement (OSPIE).

With a strong understanding of the aviation industry – after serving in government affairs at both United Airlines and the Department of Transportation – and after working to develop a new commercial airport on the west coast, Glasgow moved to TSA with a keen interest in becoming part of the agency’s evolution.

Through her collaboration with TSA’s aviation partners, Glasgow plays a critical role in promoting participation in the agency’s expedited screening program, TSA Pre✓™. She is a member of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) where she is a co-chair on the Passenger Advocacy Subcommittee and works with TSA’s aviation stakeholders on better ways to improve the passenger security experience. The ASAC is TSA’s federal advisory committee that provides recommendations to the agency for improving civil aviation security methods, equipment and procedures from the industry.

“What I do matters because our aviation stakeholders are critical allies in ensuring TSA’s counterterrorism mission. These strong partnerships – highlighted by open communication and continuous collaboration – help to sustain these important relationships. Whether it’s an upcoming initiative or a new policy, we are uniquely positioned to keep stakeholders updated with the latest information that may likely impact them at the airport.

“I find most rewarding the positive feedback from our stakeholders. Airports, airlines, unions, pilots, flight attendants – those are all key relationships for TSA. When we provide a heads up on any possible changes, through direct communication or through their respective associations, we’re able to keep them informed and help lessen miscommunication at the local airport level.

“It’s most challenging to keep on top of all the latest threats, policy developments, and new programs and be able to communicate those updates to stakeholders in a timely manner and seek their valued input. We work hard at being flexible and doing what we can to ensure TSA representation at stakeholder meetings and conferences to communicate TSA’s top priorities, security related technology trends, and other counterterrorism issues.

“Through our efforts, by building and maintaining key partnerships, we also keep the traveling public informed and better prepared for screening.”